ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the anti-commodification theorists that they seem to be loading economists with a bunch of intellectual baggage that economists need not accept. Elizabeth Anderson says, A practice treats something as a commodity if its production, distribution, or enjoyment is governed by one or more norms distinctive to the market. Anderson and Michael Walzer appear to think that there is a necessary connection between buying and selling something on a market, and regarding that object as a commodity in the loaded with negative connotations sense. Many Catholic bookstores sell candles, rosaries, prayer cards, and other devotionals. It is routine in many Catholic traditions to buy such devotionals. But the Catholics who consume them do not regard these commodities as being no different from similarly priced regular candles. The Cavanagh Bread Company is devout Catholics and treat their product, which they sell for profit, with appropriate sanctity.
